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From tumbling whitewater flowing down the mountains of the Western Ghats, to azure backwaters where rivers meet the Arabian Sea, Kerala offers kayakers a variety of paddling experiences. More than 300 species of birds and 62 species of mammals frequent Kerala's waterways. Kerala is in the southwestern portion of India, with paddling temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 F year-round.

River Kayaking

Known as the Lifeline of Kerala, the Periyar River offers kayaking adventure from beginning to end. The upper river flows through Periyar National Park, where you may see tigers and elephants coming down to the river to drink, in addition to primates and other large mammals. The lower river is home to the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, which shelters more than 300 species of riparian bird. Below the dam of Boothathankettu, adrenaline junkies can get a thrill on whitewater rated as Class 2 and 3 on the International Scale of River difficulty.

Gentle Backwaters

The Kerala Backwaters are a system of lakes, estuaries and manmade canals with more than 500 miles of waterways to explore. Local resorts dot the backwaters, offering kayakers paddle-up luxury accommodations after a long day on the water. Coconut palms tower overhead, sheltering colorful birds and water mammals. Villages along the waterway provide a perfect spot to refresh yourself with local cuisine and culture.

Kayak Tours

Kayak tourism in Kerala offers a wide variety of adventures. For those on a tight schedule, take a half-day or one-day journey exploring the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary or the backwaters. Local tour companies also offer multi-day journeys up to two weeks in length. Worldwide Paddling Adventures (worldwidepaddlingadventures.com) offers a 12-day journey that gives kayakers a taste of Kerala's many paddling options, combined with cultural adventures inland and accommodations in resorts and houseboats.

When to Go

Dreary winter months in much of the world are the perfect time to visit Kerala. Kerala's climate offers year-round temperatures from 82 to 90 degrees, with lows dipping down to about 70 degrees. December through April are ideal months to visit, as monsoon weather from May to October can bring torrential rainfalls that flood rivers to levels that are too dangerous for kayaking.

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About the Author

A former world-class swimmer, J.T. O'Connell shares her love of adventure travel, extreme sports and pets through thousands of published articles. O'Connell studied journalism at Grand Canyon University, and brings professional experience as a tour guide and travel consultant. She authors the blog, Traveling With Large Dogs.

Images related to Kerala

This painting showing Lord Parasurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu asking Lord Varuna, God of the waters to recede to make land known as Kerala from Kanyakumari to Gokarna for the Brahmins. A number of myths and legends persist concerning the origin of Kerala. One such myth is the creation of Kerala by Parasurama, a warrior sage. The Brahminical ...